9 Exciting Fantasy Players We’ve Been Dying to See

I asked the GoingFor2 team, what players are you most excited to see in Week 1? We’ve been talking these players up all offseason, and now it’s time to see what they can do. We have a few rookies, QBs with new weapons, guys looking for a bounce-back season, guys coming off injuries and some still looking for their breakout season…

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WR Chris Olave (NO)

Let’s get real for a minute, Olave may be the best and most NFL-ready rookie in this class, and I am here to praise him prior to his NFL debut. Drafted 11th overall by the Saints. This kid is special. I am so excited to watch him on the receiving end of Winston’s red zone deep throws versus the Falcons.

The Falcons’ secondary is good with Hayward and Terrell, but it’s not the best, and don’t forget the Saints love to play and beat the Falcons. Micheal Thomas is set to start Week 1, but he has been dealing with a hamstring injury, so he might not be at 100%, which opens the door for Olave to feast. He is extremely polished and makes clean routes that look seamless on the field. Go back and look at tapes from Ohio State, he was flawless, grabbing 13 TDs and almost 950 receiving yards in 2021 all while splitting time with Jets rookie Garrett Wilson.

In training camp, Winston praised Olave’s work ethic stating “He is as smooth as the other side of the pillow.” Come on, it doesn’t get much better than that. I project them both to transition together and emerge and one of the hottest QB/WR combos in the league this year. I have left most of my drafts with Olave, and I am smiling ear to ear because he is underrated and is going to shine! Courtney Burrows @luvtractor3

QB Jalen Hurts (PHI)

The fall and rise of Jalen Hurts has been interesting to observe. I was trying to find the good and have optimism, but he kept disappointing us and I gave up. In the last couple of months, I’ve noticed him creeping up QB rankings in dynasty and redraft, and I just don’t get it. People are saying he has top 3 to 5 upside in 2022, and I’m baffled. Reports from Eagles camp indicate he has progressed a bit in staying with reads before taking off and running, but he is a very inadequate passer.

I keep reminding folks, “It’s only a cheat code if you can pass first.” Hurts has yet to prove he can do that, and all the hype is, to me, just wish-casting. Hurts does have a solid offensive line and a running game that should set up the play-action passes that newcomer AJ Brown has success with Tennessee, but it’s still Hurts throwing the ball, and that’s the problem. The team has two first-round picks in 2023 and will not hesitate to replace him after another unimpressive season.

So can Hurts use Week 1 to get my attention? Maybe. On the one hand, in 2021, PFF ranked week 1 opponent the Lions 32nd (last) in total defense, 28th in pass rush, and 31st in pass coverage, and the team gave up the 9th most fantasy points per game (NFL Fantasy scoring) to TEs (a good sign for the underrated Dallas Goedert. On the other hand, the Lions did sign five defensive free agents. They drafted several defense players, including highly touted edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson. In 2021 they were middle of the pack in fantasy ppg against QBs (16th) and gave up the 6th fewest PPG versus WRs.

In the end, I don’t think Detroit did quite enough to take a big step up on defense, and early in the season, defenses are generally behind offenses. Additionally, Detroit’s offense should be improved, which could pressure the Eagles to score more. Therefore, Hurts is set up fairly well to succeed in week 1, but it will be interesting to see if he will do so. Will truthers and their hype be vindicated? Or will doubters like me have more evidence for our case? This is a make-or-break year for Hurts, and I’ll be watching him Week 1 to see how it starts. Brian Ford @ffjunkie_

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WR Brandon Aiyuk (SF)

The roller coaster also known as Brandon Aiyuk is ready for the third-year breakout. Taking a quick look at the numbers over his first two seasons they look very similar. In Aiyuk’s 12-game rookie campaign, he had 96 targets, 60 receptions, 748 yards, and five touchdowns. The following year he totaled 84 targets, 56 receptions, 826 yards, and five touchdowns across 17 games. Although he played 5 more games, he only ran 6 percent more routes, averaging just 0.05 yards per route run—Oh what could have been if he was not in the Kyle Shanahan doghouse? 

Thus far in 2022, Aiyuk has been spending every opportunity on and off the field with quarterback Trey Lance. Rumors have been they are building chemistry and getting their timing down. If Aiyuk can stay healthy all season, the only reason I see he does not have a breakout year and become a top 15 WR in all of fantasy is the competition for targets from Deebo Samuel and George Kittle. Week 1 usage will be a telling sign for his potential as his upside has never been higher since coming out of Arizona State 25th overall in 2020. . 100 targets, 69 receptions, 950 yards, and seven touchdowns is obtainable for 2022. Jayson Barnes @FantasyJay77

QB Baker Mayfield (CAR)

This is admittedly a homer pick, but hear me out. The former first-round pick and offensive player of the year has been stuck on a Browns team that always finds a way to flirt with dysfunction. In 2020, he was top 10 in ESPN’s QBR ranking and ran into the buzzsaw that is the Chiefs to end Cleveland’s playoff run.

Baker tried to push through multiple injuries in 2021 and it showed in his performance. Now in Carolina, with a rebuilt offensive line and an underrated group of skill position players, Baker has a chance to shine. He needs to earn his money this year, as most of his salary was converted into bonuses.

Baker is not worth picking up for a fantasy team yet, but he’s definitely worth keeping an eye on. Besides, an angry Baker is always the best Baker and he has something to prove against his former team after being thrown away for a “massage enthusiast.” Nathan Janasik @MeLlamoMoron

TE Gerald Everett (LAC)

Depending on if you went great or late at tight end, or you want a cheap tight end for DFS, Gerald Everett Is an excellent option for week one. The Chargers play the new and improved Raiders in a divisional match-up to start the season, which should call for some fireworks considering the over/under is set at 52 points, and the Chargers and Raiders were in the top ten of most points given up last year. In 2021, the Raiders gave up the 3rd most fantasy points to the tight end position(155), and they played the Chargers twice. 

In the two games against the Raiders, the chargers’ tight ends ended with 13 receptions, 201 receiving yards, and two touchdowns. Decent for just two games. If Everett takes advantage of his new opportunity and With the spotlight not directly on him, he has an excellent opportunity to match some of those last season’s numbers. Something to sweeten the deal, he’s been getting rave reviews from Austin Ekeler and Justin Herbert on Ekelers Edge; it seems Everett has looked outstanding, and you can expect to see Everett heavily involved in week one against the Raiders. Austin Fullington @ajohnson1033

TE Logan Thomas (WAS)

Logan Thomas may not start Week One (but very well could), but I’m stashing him all over my fantasy rosters. He was stellar before injury, ranking in the top five in PPR fantasy scoring in 2020, and was well on his way to repeating a top ten fantasy scoring season before getting hurt last season. Thomas is being wholly ignored this season because of, well, Carson Wentz, and Washington’s iffy offensive line that and he might be needed for more blocking than he should be doing.

Carson Wentz has been a tight-end-dependent quarterback for his career, however. Let’s not forget that at one time, Wentz supported two TE1s in fantasy, Dallas Goedert and Zach Ertz, when he was with the Eagles. It’s a distinct possibility that Thomas become the top receiver in Washington if healthy. Cecily Riddell @mrsteamriddell

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RB Rhamondre Stevenson (NE)

Two players to watch for the price of one! The split between Rhamondre Stevenson and Damien Harris has been hotly debated this offseason. The Patriots are playing against the Dolphins who, at least on paper, appear to have a high-powered offense. What happens if the Dolphins get up early on the Patriots? My guess is Stevenson reaps the benefits of that negative game script. Targets are paramount in a backfield expected to be near a 50/50 split on the ground. Harris was a fantasy stalwart last year, finishing 14th at the position.

He is also remembered fondly for his playoff performances in Weeks 16 and 17 where he scored five touchdowns. However, Stevenson has been heavily praised by his head coach for his understanding of routes, coverages, and pass protection. James White retired and Brandon Bolden followed Josh McDaniels to Las Vegas.

There is a void Stevenson is likely to fill as the primary pass-catching RB for the Patriots. Frankly, both RBs are undervalued according to ADP with Harris at RB34 and Stevenson RB36. Week 1 is going to go a long way in solidifying how fantasy managers can project this backfield in 2022. Erik Johnson @FantasyBBQ

RB Cam Akers (LAR)

The last time we saw Cam Akers he left a bad taste in our mouths. Over 4 playoff games after coming back early from a preseason Achilles injury, Cam averaged 2.6 yards per carry, including a measly 1.6 on 13 carries on the biggest stage on earth, the Super Bowl. Skip ahead to 2022, Akers had a full off-season to rest and recover. The running back room is a little lighter, experience wise with the loss of Sony Michel.

Coach Sean McVay has said multiple times that he wants to be able to run the ball more effectively and Cam Akers would be the first man up for the job. Week 1 features a tough opponent and once again it’s under the lights. Akers has been in the RB2 range as far as ADP goes and a good showing against a tough Buffalo defense would give owners some confidence to use him more comfortably. Jerry Wilke @JerryWilkeFM

QB Matt Ryan (IND)

Will he be rejuvenated with his new team or has time caught up to him? Will Pittman owners regret drafting his WR1 early in drafts? Can he make rookie WR Alec Pierce relevant? Can he be competent enough that defenses won’t stack the box against Taylor? Taylor is unique, so he will very likely carry this team to the playoffs, but can Ryan get them a win in the playoffs? Will he have just as many turnovers as he does touchdown passes?

Will the Colts trade for a good QB like Jimmy G. and win the super bowl? All legitimate questions that could be answered as early as Week 1. Coming off his worst season since his rookie year, 15 seasons ago. He is learning a new offense and dealing with new coaches and teammates. Many fans will have their eyes on his week one performance versus potentially one of the worst defenses in the league. With Ryan’s wide range of outcomes, he could win someone the Milly or lose the week for you. Floyd Goodnight @QuinnFloydG

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